Chicago Gourmet's Hamburger Hop a sizzlin' success

On Friday, September 27th, the sizzle was back! Chicago Gourmet’s beloved Hamburger Hop rocked the Harris Theater Rooftop once again, and it was hotter than ever! After a night of grillin’ and chillin’, Chef Devon Quinn and Brian Shim of eden took home the prestigious 2024 Judges’ Award, while Chef Chris Cunningham of JT’s Genuine Sandwich Shop styled the crowd’s favorite burger fit, winning the 2024 People’s Choice Award!

Chefs and culinary stars Joe Flamm and Adrienne Cheatham co-hosted the evening packed with chef-crafted burgers, cold brews, fine wines, and smooth spirits. Set to the pulse of DJ beats and paired with stunning skyline views, 14 top-notch chefs flipped, grilled, and competed for ultimate burger bragging rights. The Hamburger Hop is presented by Sysco, Blue Moon Light, and DoorDash. Founding partner Illinois Restaurant Association, together with presenting sponsor Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, put on the Chicago Gourmet culinary festival from September 21-29, 2024.

As the evening heated up, a panel of celebrity judges tasted their way through some serious burger creations, finally crowning Devon Quinn and Brian Shim as the Judges' Award winner for their jaw-dropping eden Market Burger made with Sysco Prime Certified Angus beef, housemade American cheese, dill pickle-corn slaw, flatwater arugula, oven-dried tomatoes, black garlic Dijonnaise, served on a Turano Potato Bun. Meanwhile, Chris Cunningham took home the People’s Choice Award for their stunning JT's Special Burger made with Sysco Certified Angus Beef Steakburger, Kerrygold aged cheddar, Dijonnaise, pickled granny smith apple, hickory smoked bacon, served on a Turano French Brioche Bun. Guests cast their votes at chef stations by dropping Blue Moon bottle caps into voting buckets.

Burgers were judged on a range of characteristics, including flavor, creativity and presentation. The winners took home cool burger-shaped trophies, a magnum of Caymus Wine, along with fun packages provided by Sysco that included Yeti Coolers, Cookbooks, a Certified Angus Beef cleaver, and of course, bragging rights.

Hosted by: 

• · Joe Flamm, Day Off Group / Rose Mary / BLVD Steakhouse
• · Adrienne Cheatham, James Beard Nominated Chef and Cookbook Author

Participating chefs included:

• · Kaleena Bliss, Chicago Athletic Association Hotel / Cindy’s
• · Chris Cunningham, JT’s Genuine Sandwich Shop 
• · Becca Grothe, TriBecca’s Sandwich Shop 
• · Hector Guerrero, Chef Art Smith’s Reunion
• · K.C. Gulbro, FoxFire
• · Jacqueline Hernandez, Bar Sótano
• · Luis Hernandez, The Board Room Libertyville
• · Matty Lehto, Gemini Lincoln Park
• · Jesse Lozano, 14 Parish Restaurant & Rhum Bar
• · Devon Quinn, eden 
• · Tigist Reda, Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
• · Shawn Smith & Leonor Quezada, Heffer BBQ
• · Jim Torres, Beard & Belly 
• · Dan Vargo, Fine Coastal Cuisine 
• · Arel Brown & Lori Seay, Soul Veg City (Veggie dish)

The panel of judges: 

• · Amy Cavanaugh, Chicago Magazine
• · Edward Kim, Mott St.
• · Sylvia Perez, Fox 32 News
• · Jeff Schulman, Molson Coors Beverage Company
• · Audarshia Townsend, Content Director for Informa Markets’ Food & Beverage Insider
• · Phil Vettel, Acclaimed Food Critic
• · Jason Vincent, GIANT / Chef's Special Cocktail Bar / Pizza Matta
• · Jernard Wells, Haute Cuisine 

Chicago Gourmet programming will benefit the Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (IRAEF), a 501 (c)(3) dedicated to building and promoting the health and prosperity of the restaurant industry by investing in both youth and workforce.